PrevLuke 24:31Next

Luke 24

Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.

And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.

And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.

And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:

And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?

He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,

Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.

And they remembered his words,

And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest.

It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles.

And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not.

Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.

And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.

And they talked together of all these things which had happened.

And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.

But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.

And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?

And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass therein these days?

And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:

And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him.

But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.

Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre;

And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive.

And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.

Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:

Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?

And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further.

But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them.

And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.

And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.

And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?

And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them,

Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.

And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.

And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.

And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?

Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.

And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.

And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat?

And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb.

And he took it, and did eat before them.

And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.

Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,

And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:

And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

And ye are witnesses of these things.

And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.

And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.

And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:

And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.

What does Luke 24:31 mean?

Explanation

Luke 24:31 presents a mysterious and powerful moment in the Gospel account of Jesus Christ's resurrection.

This verse captures the instant when the resurrected Jesus is revealed, then suddenly disappears from the view of the two disciples with whom He has been traveling and conversing on the road to Emmaus.

The verse marks a climactic point where recognition and revelation happen simultaneously.

The literal meaning is that the disciples' physical eyes were opened to recognize Jesus, and this could also imply a spiritual awakening to understand the reality of the resurrection.

The deeper meaning suggests an opening of understanding and faith, the recognition of the risen Christ is not just physical sight but insight into His true identity and His fulfillment of scripture.

Top Rated Luke Books

Historical Context

The verse is set in the context of the events immediately following the crucifixion of Jesus, His burial, and the remarkable events of His resurrection.

During this period, His disciples and followers were in a state of shock, grief, and confusion.

Cultural and historical practices of the time included communal meals and sharing of scriptures, which set the stage for this encounter.

The road to Emmaus story occurs on the same day that women find the empty tomb (Luke 24:1-12), placing it within the Jewish cultural context with its expectations and messianic prophecies.

Theological Insights

From a Christian theological perspective, this verse is rich with meaning.

For some, it underscores the reality of Christ's bodily resurrection, He was recognized through the act of breaking bread, a symbol echoing the Last Supper.

The idea of revelation and recognition by God's will is also paramount; for others, it is Jesus' decision when and how to reveal Himself to believers.

The vanishing of Jesus points to His divine nature and the idea that the risen Christ cannot be bound by earthly dimensions or expectations.

Practical Applications

The story leading to Luke 24:31 teaches several practical lessons.

Firstly, it encourages believers to look for Jesus in the ordinary course of life, not just in supernatural occurrences.

It also highlights the importance of hospitality, as it was through inviting Jesus into their home that the disciples came to recognize Him.

Furthermore, it underlines the value of scripture in revealing Jesus to believers. In daily life, one can take from this the power of fellowship, communion, and the ongoing presence of Christ in moments of sharing and community.

Cross-References

Luke 24:16 - "But their eyes were holden that they should not know him."
Luke 24:30 - "And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them."
Mark 16:12 - "After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country."
John 20:14 - "And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus."
1 Corinthians 15:5 - "And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:"

Language Study

The Greek word for "eyes" here is "ὀφθαλμοί" (ophthalmoi), implying physical sight but also perception or understanding.

"Opened" is translated from "διηνοίχθησαν" (dianoichthēsan), signifying not just the physical act of opening but also a broader sense of unveiling or revealing something that was previously hidden.

"Knew" is "ἐπέγνωσαν" (epignōsan), indicating a deep recognition or realization beyond a mere cognitive acknowledgment.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The theme of gods or divine figures appearing in human form and then suddenly disappearing is not uncommon in other ancient mythologies.

For example, in Greek mythology, gods often visit humans, only to reveal their true identities later and disappear.

In Hindu scriptures, Krishna reveals his divine form to Arjuna, which is a moment of both recognition and revelation.

Scientific Perspectives

While the literal disappearance of a person is not explainable by modern science, the psychological aspect of not recognizing a familiar person until a particular cue triggers recognition can be explored through the study of cognitive psychology and neurosciences.

The concept known as 'sensory gating' or 'selective attention' may provide a partial scientific framework for understanding how the disciples could have walked and talked with Jesus without recognizing Him until a specific revealing action took place.

Commentaries

Various biblical scholars and theologians have different interpretations of Luke 24:31.

Some, like John Gill, comment on the spiritual enlightenment that accompanies the physical act of seeing Jesus.

Others, such as William Barclay, emphasize the significance of the simple act of breaking bread and how Jesus is often found in ordinary experiences.

Matthew Henry's commentary reflects on the mysterious nature of Jesus' appearance and disappearance and suggests it symbolizes Christ's coming and going in His people's comforts and the manner He manifests Himself to them.

Luke 24

Luke 24

What does Luke 24:31 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Luke Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Luke 24:31 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Luke Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?